Dish-washing apparatus.



.DISH WASHING APPARATUS. APPLICATIQN FILED 11150.17, 1914.

1,170,261. y Peeented Feb. 1, 1916. Y

3 SHEETs-sHEET I.

A. @I s. HORTIIN.

' DISH WASHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED Dsc. II. 1914.

Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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v 0%. WOT/'lion Aj. 72507425072 A. & S. HORT/ON.

DISH WASHINGAPPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED DEC. I7, 'I9l4.`

.LWQ261- Patented Feb.`1, 1916. n v 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

iiN'iTED sTaTEe PATENT @oEEicE AARON HonToN `AND SALYER HoRToN, or COLEMAN, MICHIGAN.

i 'DISI-T-WA3HING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 17 l 1914. Serial No. 877,743.

ToA all Iwhom t may concern Be it known that we, AARON HORTON and SALYER HORToN, citizens of' the United States,- residing at Coleman, in` the county of Midland and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dish-lfVashin'g Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to washing apparatus and more particularly to an apparatus for washing large quantities of dishes and other utensils in a rapid and eflicient manner.

It is one aim of the invention .to provide an apparatus ofthe class described which will eifectually cleanse the dishes and other utensils without likelihood of4 breaking, denting or otherwise injuring the same.

Another aim of the invention is to so construct the machine as to adapt it to accommodate dishes andother utensils of various sizes and shapes and to subject all portions ofthe surfaces of the same to the action of the water or suds within the machine.

Another aim of the invention is to providea dish washing machine of 'such construction that, no special care will be re- 'quired when placing the dishes or other utensils within the machine, either as concerns their position of disposal or their proximit)7 to each other.

The invention further aims to provide for the positive delivery of the washed dishes or other utensils from the. machine and to provide against likelihood of any of the articles becoming lodged within the ma chine which would necessitate stopping the operation of the machine to permit of their removal.

It is another aim of the invention to provide within the machine novel means for creating a forceful current of water circu-- lating about the dishes and utensils passing through the machine so that the currents of water will be caused to rush over the entire surfaces of the dishes thereby cleansing Patentedireb. 1,1916.

washing apparatus may -be drained of scum or sujds when any considerable or undesirable quantity has accumulated.

`Further the invention has as' its object to so construct and arrange the washing-apparatus that the dish conveying portion thereof may be readily swung clear of the tank whenever desired. ,1

The j invention also contemplates provid ing the'tank of the apparatus with a hinged cover which, while provided with openings in its walls for the introduction and removal ofthe dishes and other utensils to be washed,

vwill serve effectually to retain the steam from the heated water within the apparatus and prevent lowering ofthe 'temperature of the water and also render it unlikely that the person or persons using the apparatus will be subjected to inconvenience due to heat or splashing of the water.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View through the apparatus embodying the pres'- ent invention. Fig: 2 is aI vertical transverse sectional view therethrough taken'ap-4 proxiinately on the line 2 2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view through a portion of the --wlieel about which the dishes are carried in the tank of the apparatus. Fig. 4f is aperspective view of one end of one of the spokes of the wheel. Fig. 5 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section through. the device illustrating the cover therefor'in raised position -and the conveyer and itssupportingframe also raised.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views ofthe accompanying drawings by the same reference characters.

The tank of the apparatus is mounted within a frame includingspaced sides, indicatedby the numeral l, and supported by legs 2, these sides preferably also constituting the side walls ofthe tank. The bottom wall of the tank at the receiving and discharge end thereof is inclined downwardly toward the opposite end.v as indicated at 3,

and beyond its inclined portion is downwardly curved, als at4 al, throughout the remainder of its length, the curved portion 4 Vof the bottom merging with t e rear end wall of the tank, which wall .s indicated at 5. It will be observed, by reference to Fig. 1 of the drawings, that the rear portion of the tank is4 much deeper than the forward portion thereof and it is in the rear portion dishes and other utensils to the tank, in a manner which will be presently explaned,

one side wall of the cover is provided with an opening 11 and the other side wall is provided with an opening 12 through which the washed-utensils are to be discharged and the openings 11 and 12 are located at the forward end of the #said cover.

The apparatus includes means for conveying the dishes and other utensils placed within the tank into the deeper rear portion thereof vand through the water contained therein, this conveying means being further arranged to carry the washed dishes or utensils toward the front end ofthe tank and through the opening. 1Q, and this portionof the apparatus is mounted in a frame including side members 13 provided at their forward ends with upright portions or standards 1l land adjacentl the said standards 1l with other standards, indicated at 15, the rear ends of the side members 13 being connected by a cross bar 16 which constitutes a handle, as will be presently explained. A

`shaft 17 is journaled at its ends in suitable bearings 18' mounted at the forward corners ofthe tank and the ends of this shaft project through the openings in the portions 14 of the side members-of the frame, whereby to connect the frame for swinging movement about the shaft 17 as an axis. Mounted for sliding movement upon the opposing sides of the portions 14 of the frame at the upper end of the said portions, are bearing plates 19 in which are journaled the ends of a shaft 20, and these bearing plates are 'provided with downwardly extending stems 21 which tit slidably through bracket ears upon the said standards 14. the bearingi` plained. Ai shaft 24 is mounted at its` ends in bearings located at the lower ends of the standards 15 and thils ,aftfas provided with sprocket gears 25 for a l.purpose tofbe presently explained. Also for a purpose which will be presently pointed out7 the shaft17 has mounted thereon sprocket gears Q6 and the shaft Q0 is provided with sprocket gearsv 27.

In order to brace the members comprising the frame, brace rods QS extend between the standards 15 and between the side members of the frame between the shafts 1T and 2l, "The apparatus `includes an endless conveyer. including si-irocket` chains 25) which are trained over the gears 25, 21S and 2T and which pass about a wheel forming a part of the apparatus, and which is mounted within the frame above described, and these chains support between them a forammous apron 30 which is preferably of wire mesh inaformed in its inwardly presented side with an opening 3l. and arranged within each spoke is a spring the inner ends of the springs being secured within the spokes and their outer ends being connected to the ends of chains or other suitable flexible elements 3G. Each of the chains 3G extends between the outer ends of the springs within corresponding ones of the spokes at opposite sides ofthe wheel and the said chains are trained over pulleys 37 journaled within the tubular spokes opposite -the ol'ienings 34. the portions of the chains extending between the pulleys being normally. `held taut by the said springs 35. It will thus be seen that the wheel comprises spaced sets ofy spokes and that what may be termed the periphery of the wheel, comprises a series of transversely extending normally taut elements. An endless apron or belt 3S, of a width substantially equal to the width of the wheel, is trained-about the wheel and supported bythe said chains 3G and this lbelt or apron is also trained over a roller 89 mounted upon a shaft l() journaled in bearings at the upper ends ofthe standards 15. this roller extending transversely abovel thel tank and being located at the lower rear corner of the opening 12. l't will now be observed. by reference to Fig. 1, thatl the upper stretch of the apron 38, or, in other words, that portion of the apron extending between the upper side of theI wheel and the roller 39. is inclined downwardly and forwardly to a slight degree and that it diverges in a forward direction from the plane of the upper stretchof the apron 30.

. ing so as to convey The shaft 56 is journaled 1t will also be apparent that the lower stretch ofA the apron 38 and lower stretch of the apron 30 between the lower side of the wheel and the shaft 24, converge downwardly and rearwardly.,

The purpose of providing'the wheel with a yieldable periphery will be set forth in the description of operation of the apparatus, as also the manner in which vthe aprons 30 and 38 coperate. l

A beveled gear41 is fixed upon the shaft 17 and meshes with a similar gear 42 at the lower end 'of a shaft 43 which is mounted in one of the uprights or standards 14. The shaft 43 is provided. at its upper end with a beveled pinion 44, meshing with a similar pinion 45 at.one end 46 which Ais journaledv in suitable bearings uponA the standards 14 and 15 and about which is passed an endless apron 47. The apron 47 is'also passed about a roller 4S journaled in bearings 49 upon one side of the tank opposite the opening 12, so that the stretches of the apron 47 travel through the said opening, the upper stretch of the apron moving in the direction of the openthe dishes and utensils from the apparatus after the same have been depositedupon the api-.01147 'from 'the upper stretch of the apron 38. In order that rotary inot-ion may be imparted to the shaft 17 and through this shaft to the apron SO and the wheel and through the wheelvto the apron 38 and also in order that motion may be imparted to the apron 47. a lshaft 50 is mounted in suitable bearings upon the sides 1 of the main frame of the apparatus, and is geared by means'of a belt 51 and pulleys 52 and upon the shafts v5() and 17 respectively, ries a worm gear 54 whichis in mesh with a worm 55 upon a motor driven shaft 5G. at one end in a suitable bearing 57 mounted upon a trans-l verse support 58 located between the sides 1 and is driven. as for example. by pulleys and a belt from the shaft of a motor GO.

1n order that the dishes and other utensils placed upon that portion of the apron 30 which extendsbetween the shafts 17 and Q4. may` be prevented from coming in contact with the ends of the spokes guard plates 61 are mounted upon the standards .14 and 15 and the sides 13 of the frame within the tank and have downwardly and rearwardly extending portions G2 which project between the side edges of the lower stretches of the aprons 30 and B8 in the manner clearly shown in Fig. 1.

lt willvnow be apparent from the foregoing description that the dishes and other utensils to be washed are introduced through the openlng 11` and placed upon that portion of the lower stretch ofl theapron 30 which is traveling between the shaft 17 and the of aA roller shaftl andv the said shaft 50 cari. guided to position shaft 24. v Havingbeen placed upon the said stretch of the apron, the dishes will be carried rearwardly and ldownwardly and will become engaged between the lower stretches o'f the said apron 30 and the apron 38 and will be carried by the movement of the said aprons andv the rotation of the wheel through the water which is contained within the tank. As the dishes are carried about by the wheel. they will be lifted from the water and will `subsequently be carried l dishes are firmly held between theaprons 30 'and 3S in their passage about the wheel, al-

though they are not liable to be broken or cri' hed. inasmuch as the wheel is. lin effect, prcvided with a yield-able peripheral surface.A which comprises the apron 3S and the flexible connections 3G upon which the apron is supported.l

At this point-.it may be pointed out that the sprocket chains Z9 passover the ends of the spokes 33 in the manner shown in Fig. 3 of thel drawings, and that consequently the apron supported between these Achains may be maintained in taut condition without. however. lsagging or pulling 1nwardly upon the said flexible. connections BG.

lnorder that the sprocket chains i against the squared outer ends of the spokes.y the spokes are provided at their said ends with beveled extensions 253. However, the pressure exerted against the apron 3() by the pensated for by the springs 23 which yieldably support the shaft Q0. lnasmuch as the aprons 30 and 23S are of foraminous material` such for example. aswire mesh, all por-' tions of the. dishes or other utensils being washed will'be immersed in the water and subjected to the cleansing action thereof. lt will also be apparentthat as the dishes are carried forwardly upon the upper stretch of the apron 3S. they will be well drained before being deposited upon the apron 47.

may be dishes or utensils 1s comn Arranged below 'the portion 4 of the botpass beneath -al/id the nozzlev Sage-Way GG and a chamber 67 and being spaced at its forward end from the forward end wall of the. extension so as to form a port (5S. The portion l of the bottom of the tank at its juncture with the rear end wall 5 of the ,tank is formedwvith a-port or opening (if) which is located substantially at the level of the water within the tank. The shaft 5G is journalcd in a stu'ling bo. 70 upon the forward end wall ot'k the extension 64C anrl the inner end of the shaft has fixed upon it a hub carrying a number of radially dispo ed blades 7l. rl`he bottom wall ,l-of the ta k is open, as atl 72. between the passage 65 and the upper side of the extension 64e, and it.wi'll be apparent that as the shaft 56 rotates, a current will be created in the water, by "the movement of the blades 7l, flowing from the openings G9 between the bottom and false bottom, through the port or openings GS into the tank through the o venin()- 72. and it will be a i )arent that. in-

asmuch as theshaft 5G is rapidly rotated, the water will pass rapidly through the opening 72 and forcefully through the stretches of the aprons 30 -and as they the wheel and, of course, against the utensils or dishes confined between the said stretches of the aprons. In

ord-er that the waterwvithin the tank .may

be heated, a burner 73 of any suitable type is provided and is supplied from any suitable'source of gaseous or liquid fuel supply, of this burner projects into ,a casing 74 having a water jacket 75 which lis placed in communication with the interior of 'the tank.by openings'TG formed in the false bottom 63. A number of water tubes 77 extend transversely7 within the casing 74 and are in communication at their ends withthe water jacket 75, and, by reference to Fig. l. it will be seen that the blast from the nozzle of the burner is directed against these tubes and against the inner surfaces of the walls of the said casing so that the water within the tubes and water jacket will be heated to a high degree of temperature before entering` the tank.

In order that the accumulation of suds and sc um may be removed from the surface of the water within ythe tank the rear end wall of the tank is formed with an opening 78 which is in connnunication with an'overlow chalnber 70, the '.r and upper walls of which form continuations of the false bottom G3 and the'bottom wall of which coniprises a partition 80. The chamber 79 has an overflow openingSl. It will be apparent, of course` that the opening 7S is lo--ated above the normal water level within the tank and when it is `desired to remove the accumulations of scum and suds from the surface of the water, an additional volume of water is supplied to the tank suicient to bring the water level up to the opening 78,

whereupon the overflow through this opening and into the chamber 79 will carry oif the accumulation.

From the foregoing description of the'invention it will be seen .that there is provided an apparatus which may be employed to rapidly and effectually cleanse a large number of dishes or other utensils without any likelihood of injury to the same.

By providing the cross piece 16 and by mounting the conveyer apparatus in the frame of which this cross piece constitutes a part, the cross piece may be grasped and the frame may be swung upwardly so as to position the entire conveying apparatus exterior of the tank.

It will be understood that due to the high'temperature of the water and the rapid flow of the same past the dishes supported upon the conveyer, it will be unnecessary to subsequently rinse and wipe the dishes, particularly, inasmuch asv .they are thoroughly drained before being exposed to cooler air exteriorly of the machine.

By reference to Figs. l and' of the drawings, it willbe observed tha-t the opening 12 in the cover extends entirely to the lower edge of the side in which it is formed and that when the cover is in lowered position, the opening 12 will be partly closed by a plate l2 projecting upwardly from the cor- `spaced relation, the first-mentioned length of one of the aprons being yieldably supported.

2. In washing apparatus, a tank, a rotary member mounted within the tank and having a yieldable Aperipheral surface, a conveyer apron traveling about the said member and in contact with the said surface,' and a second conveyer apron traveling in contact with the first mentioned apron.

In washing apparatus, a rotary member having radially yieldable elements comprising its peripheral surface, a conveyer Aapron traveling in contact with said surface,

a second conveyer apion traveling in contact with the first mentioned apron, and means for supplying water to the said aprons and to the said surface.

'-i. In washing apparatus, a rotary member haviiig a peripheral series of radially yieldablegelements, a conveyer apron supported by and ltraveling" uponvthe said elements, a conveyerapronhaving a portion of its' length traveling in contact with the irstmentioned apron, and means. for supplying ater to the said aprons.

15. In v'vashing paratus, a -rotary member V-having ,transversely` extending periph- `erallylocated elements adapted to be Aradi- I fally sagged, means yieldably resisting sagging of the said elements,

2t COIlVeyGI apron 'traveling-about and-supported by the said f elements, a second conveyer apron traveling in. contact --With the iirst mentioned apron, and-meansy for supplying Water to the said apron.A

6.*In Washing apparatus, ay rotary mem"- ber having a peripheral series of transversely extending flexible elements, means connected with the elementsand yieldably .resisting inward radial sagging thereof, av :conveyer apron traveling about and supported by the elements,*a second conveyer apron having a portion of its length traveling in Icontact lvvith the first-mentioned apron, and means' -for supplying Water -to the aprons4 7. In Washing apparatus, a rotary Inemf'v ber including spaced series vof spokes, springs arranged upon the spokes, connecting the springs upon correspondingly located ones of the spokes, and having portions extending transversely between the said spokes and yieldable in the direction vof the axis of the member, a Aconveyer apron supported by and traveling about the said portions of the flexible elements, a second conveyer apron having a portion of its length traveling in contact with the lsaid portion of the first-mentioned apron, and means for supplying Water to the aprons.

8. In Washing apparatus, a rotary memfiexible elements ber having a yieldable peripheral surface, a

tank in Which the member 'is rotatablyy-" mounted, a foraminous conveyer apron travelingv infconta'ct with -said surface, anda 1 15 second conveyer apron traveling' in contact with the first mentioned apron. y

A 9. 'In Washing-apparatus, ja tank,- a rotary Imember having a yieldable peripheral surface, thesai'd member being mountedl Within the tank, a oraminous conveyer Aapron traveling in contact With saidlsurface, the upper stretch of said apron constituting a draining surface.l vand a" second VJoraminous conhaving. aportion of its length veyer apron traveling 1n contact 4with the said portion of the rst-mentionedapron.

" l .10. In Washing'apparatus, a casing includ- A ing a tank, a rotary member mounted in thetank and having a yieldable peripheral surface, a conveyer apron traveling in contact withV said surface, amoving apron onto which the upper stretch of the conveyer apron 1s arranged to. discharge, the casing being provided in one side With an opening opposite thesaid moving apron, anda second c onveyer apron having a portion of its length traveling in. contact With the upper stretch of the first-'mentioned apron, the casv AARON HoRToN. [11s.] SALYER HoRToN. {La} l Witnesses:

aJOHN E. GLAUTZ., FRANK E. Plum-TICE. 

